Pill-free ways to improve your sex life

Exercise, smoking cessation, and alcohol moderation can help bring sexual activity back into the bedroom.

Sex is important to health. It revs up metabolism and may boost the immune system. Frequent sexual intercourse is associated with reduced heart attack risk. And it's fun. So why aren't we having more of it? "There are many reasons why sexual activity can diminish in older age, but many sexual problems can be overcome with appropriate interventions, especially if the problems are relatively new," says Dr. Jan Shifren, co-author of the Harvard Special Health Report Sexuality in Midlife and Beyond.